阅读说明：本技术 径向密封过滤器 (Radial sealing filter ) 是由 E·L·艾伦博格 J·G·摩尔多克 于 2021-04-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种径向密封过滤器,具体而言,一种空气过滤器,其包括过滤器介质、端盖、聚氨酯出口空气密封件以及筛网组件。端盖紧固到过滤器介质的第一端部。聚氨酯出口空气密封件紧固到过滤器介质的第二、相反端部。筛网组件紧固到过滤器介质的在第一端部与第二端部之间的中心部分。(An air filter includes a filter media, an end cap, a polyurethane outlet air seal, and a screen assembly. The end cap is secured to the first end of the filter media. A polyurethane outlet air seal is secured to a second, opposite end of the filter media. A screen assembly is secured to a central portion of the filter media between the first and second ends.)

1. An air filter comprising:

a filter media;

an end cap secured to the first end of the filter media;

a polyurethane outlet air seal secured to a second, opposite end of the filter media; and

a screen assembly secured to a central portion of the filter media between the first end and the second end.

2. The air filter of claim 1, further comprising:

a filter identification component configured to record data of the air filter.

3. The air filter of claim 2,

the filter identification member is embedded in the polyurethane outlet air seal.

4. The air filter of claim 1,

the screen assembly includes an inner screen positioned inside the filter media and an outer screen positioned around an outer surface of the filter media.

5. The air filter of claim 4,

the inner screen has a first inner screen half and a second inner screen half, the first and second inner screen halves being secured together by a latch mechanism.

6. The air filter of claim 4,

the outer screen has a first outer screen half and a second outer screen half, the first and second outer screen halves being secured together by a latch mechanism.

7. The air filter of claim 5,

the latch mechanism includes a plurality of projections and a plurality of receiving slots configured to receive the projections to secure the first and second inner screen halves together.

8. The air filter of claim 6,

the latch mechanism includes a plurality of projections and a plurality of receiving slots configured to receive the projections to secure the first and second outer screen halves together.

9. The air filter of claim 4,

the inner screen includes a rounded lip positioned at the second end of the filter media.

10. The air filter of claim 9,

the rounded lip is embedded in the polyurethane outlet air seal.

11. An air filter according to claim 3,

the screen assembly includes an inner screen positioned inside the filter media and an outer screen positioned around an outer surface of the filter media,

the inner screen includes a rounded lip positioned at the second end of the filter media, and

the rounded lip is embedded in the polyurethane outlet air seal with the filter identifying member.

12. The air filter of claim 10,

the polyurethane outlet air seal includes one or more recesses that receive the rounded lip of the inner screen.

13. The air filter of claim 11,

the polyurethane outlet air seal includes one or more recesses that receive the filter identification member and the circular lip of the inner screen.

14. The air filter of claim 1,

the filter media is embedded in the polyurethane outlet air seal.

15. The air filter of claim 11,

the filter media is embedded in the polyurethane outlet air seal with the rounded lip and the filter identifying member.

16. The air filter of claim 1,

the end cap is secured to the first end of the filter media with glue.

17. The air filter of claim 1,

the screen assembly is made of plastic.

18. The air filter of claim 1,

the end cap includes a raised centering lip, the filter media and the screen assembly being positioned inside the raised centering lip.

19. An air precleaner comprising:

a filter housing; and

an air filter positioned inside the filter housing, wherein the air filter comprises:

a filter media;

an end cap secured to the first end of the filter media;

a polyurethane outlet air seal secured to a second, opposite end of the filter media; and

a screen assembly secured to a central portion of the filter media between the first end and the second end.

20. A method of manufacturing an air filter, the method comprising:

providing a mould;

positioning a filter media and a screen assembly in the mold, wherein the screen assembly comprises an inner screen positioned inside the filter media and an outer screen positioned around an outer surface of the filter media;

positioning the outer screen over the circular lip of the inner screen;

cold pouring polyurethane into the mold such that the polyurethane flows into a space between and within the filter media and the screen assembly; and

curing the polyurethane such that the filter media and the screen assembly are secured together and embedded at one end of an interior of a polyurethane outlet air seal formed from the cured polyurethane.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an air filter. The disclosed filter provides a number of beneficial effects, including: filter integrity, filter durability, self-cleaning performance, filter seal effectiveness, filter alignment within the filter housing, alignment of optional filter identification rings, and enhanced cyclability.

The present disclosure relates to a filter design that addresses a number of issues that negatively impact the manufacture and performance of previous designs.

Background

Manufacturing issues with conventional filter designs include: (i) the filter media and filter protection screen (screen) are not uniformly perpendicular; (ii) polyurethane (urethane) seals are used with heating processes that create inconsistencies in the filter sealing surfaces that affect their function; (iii) irregularities in the filter screen circle coupled with sharp metal edges, where the screen material is perforated, cut and/or welded during manufacture and there is no filter screen perpendicularity, resulting in damage to the filter media during construction of the filter and when the filter media is in vibrating contact with the screen while in use; (iv) opacity (sometimes referred to as opacity) of the screen material, thereby reducing the area through which particles can fall from the particle removal media, compromising the ability of the media to be self-cleaning; (v) irregular placement of filter identification loops (FIRs) (if included); (vi) corrosion and vibration that cause damage to the filter media; and (vii) the ability to provide sustained and efficient release of debris (sometimes referred to as debris) from the filter media. The advanced filter of the present application addresses each of these issues in filter manufacture and use.

Performance-the filter provides a means to capture particulates from the air stream. Filter effectiveness is determined by the ability of the filter media to block as many particulates as are present in the air stream. The manufacturing process that causes or allows the filter media to become damaged compromises the effectiveness of the filter in capturing particulates. To the greatest extent possible, the design of the means to hold the filter media in place should allow the media to be placed into the holding means without causing damage to the structural integrity of the media, and should also protect the media from damage during and after the manufacturing process. For the purpose of filter identification (if it is desired), the design of the means to retain the filter media should also allow for consistent placement of the filter identification ring or alternatively a label affixed to the filter or a scrambled bar code affixed to the filter or different shaped or sized devices that can be sealed within the polyurethane outlet air seal.

Disclosure of Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the broad inventive principles described herein address the aforementioned problems. Features of the embodiments may be understood with reference to the air precleaner and method disclosed in commonly owned U.S. patent No. 8945282, published on 3/2015 and U.S. patent No. 9700828, published on 11/7/2017, and these patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The filters disclosed herein may be used with the air precleaners described in the aforementioned patents and in RESPA ® recirculation filtration systems. When equipped with an embedded filter identification ring (or alternatively, a label adhered to the filter or an encrypted barcode adhered to the filter or other device of other shape or size that can be sealed within a polyurethane outlet seal for filter identification purposes), the filters disclosed herein record data and send filter performance data to RESPA @ control module (RCM) monitoring devices. The features of the filter identification loop (FIR) and RCM are described in detail in U.S. application serial No. 16/022941 filed on 29/6/2018 (which is now a U.S. patent No. 10850222 issued on 1/12/2020), and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The filter performance data may include filter part number, filter rating (rating), filter serial number, filter manufacturing information, and filter hours of use. The following disclosure is not limited to filters used in particular enclosures. Different applications and housings may be designed for different environments in which the present disclosure may be applied. Applications may include engine air intake systems; heating, ventilation and cooling systems; and other applications where filtered air is required. The following disclosures apply to the filters cited in U.S. design patent No. D768277 issued on day 4/10/2016, U.S. design patent No. D767746 issued on day 27/9/2016, and U.S. design patent No. D691252 issued on day 8/10/2013, which in each case form an internal barrier and particulate spray for the separator chamber of a self-cleaning system for powered devices, and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The present disclosure is also applicable to filters used in unpowered air filtration systems.

As will be described in detail below, the filter of the present application addresses each of the issues discussed above in terms of filter manufacture and use. More specifically, the structure of the filter ensures that a filter identification loop (FIR) is installed in place (if desired), ensures that the filter media is securely retained and protected from impact, vibration, and erosion to the screen, and ensures that debris is continuously released from the filter media in an efficient manner.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top exploded view schematically illustrating the components of the filter.

Fig. 2 is a bottom exploded view schematically illustrating components of the filter.

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the assembled filter in a vertical configuration.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the filter positioned for insertion into the filter housing.

Fig. 5A-5D are views illustrating the filter after insertion into the filter housing in close-up views of the locking mechanism between the filter and the filter housing.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating air flow through the filter housing, wherein the filter housing is transparent.

Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the assembled filter in a horizontal configuration.

Fig. 8 is a view illustrating a different type of end cap.

Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an element of the filter.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the filter installed in a mold during a manufacturing process.

Fig. 11 is a close-up view of fig. 10 illustrating the filter installed in the mold during the manufacturing process.

Fig. 12 is a view illustrating a portion of an inner screen installed in a mold during a manufacturing process.

Figure 13 is a view illustrating a latch mechanism of the screen assembly assembled from the front.

Figure 14 is another view illustrating the latch mechanism of the screen assembly prior to assembly.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the area indicated as "15" in fig. 9.

Fig. 16A and 16B are a top view and a perspective view, respectively, of a filter identification ring.

Detailed Description

An air filter 1 optionally including an embedded filter identification loop (FIR)2 according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein is described in detail below.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, an air filter 1 having an embedded FIR 2 (visible in fig. 2 and 9) according to one embodiment includes a filter media 3, a plastic end cap 4, a polyurethane outlet air seal 5 (e.g., a cold-poured polyurethane outlet air seal), and a plastic molded screen assembly 6, the polyurethane outlet air seal 5 being manufacturable with the FIR 2 molded into polyurethane or without the FIR 2. The screen assembly 6 comprises a two-part inner plastic screen 6a and a two-part outer plastic screen 6 b. As will be appreciated from the drawings, the inner plastic screen 6a is positioned on the interior of the filter media 3 (except for a circular lip 61, discussed below, extending outwardly from the filter media 3), while the outer plastic screen 6b is positioned on the exterior of the filter media 3. The inner plastic screen 6a is enclosed in the polyurethane outlet air seal 5 on the outlet air side and glued into the filter end cap 4 on the non-outlet air side. The filter media 3 (which varies for different filtering applications) is also surrounded by polyurethane on the outlet air side and glued into the filter end cap 4 on the non-outlet air side. An outer plastic screen 6b is likewise enclosed within the polyurethane outlet air seal 5 and glued into the filter end cap 4 on the non-outlet air side. As shown in fig. 8, the plastic end cap 4 (which may be one of a variety of designs) is attached to the filter media 3 and the screen assembly 6 by the use of glue. Fig. 8 shows a currently available filter end cap design. However, the filter end cap is not limited to these embodiments and may be designed with modifications for specific applications based on future requirements.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an exploded view of the components making up the design of a filter 1. Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an exploded view of the components comprising an optional FIR 2 embedded between the end of the filter media 3 and a rounded lip 61, the rounded lip 61 being created on the polyurethane seal outlet air side of the two-part inner plastic screen 6a of the screen assembly 6 and then molded into the polyurethane outlet air seal 5, as will be described with reference to fig. 9.

Fig. 9 shows the position of the FIR 2 within the polyurethane outlet air seal 5. As shown in fig. 2 and 9, the FIR 2 has a specified diameter to fit into the space provided between the filter media 3 and the lip 61 of the two-part inner plastic screen 6a and to be sealed within the polyurethane outlet air seal 5. The circular configuration allows the filter to be placed in a filter housing, which can then be assembled in any orientation and still achieve the same level of functionality. FIR 2 is configured to communicate with an RCM as described above and in U.S. application serial No. 16/022941. It should be noted that the filter identification device may alternatively be a label affixed to the filter, an encrypted bar code affixed to the filter, or another shape or size device that can be sealed within the polyurethane outlet air seal 5, in addition to the FIR described in U.S. application serial No. 16/022941.

The polyurethane outlet air seal 5 is a radial seal design that is manufactured using cold-poured polyurethane to reduce air bubbles on the sealing surfaces to ensure proper sealing of the clean air inlet on the self-cleaning filtration system or air filter housing in all operating environments. As shown in fig. 2, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the polyurethane outlet air radial seal 5 secures the two assembled halves of the inner and outer plastic screens 6a and 6b, the filter media 3 and the FIR 2, respectively and in combination.

More specifically, fig. 9 and 10 show a polyurethane seal 5 (at the cut-out portion), the polyurethane seal 5 having a recess/groove 5a on its inner surface, in which recess/groove 5a the polyurethane seal 5 is attached to (receives) the screen assembly 6 and the FIR 2. As noted above, the polyurethane seal 5 is formed using cold-poured polyurethane. As a result, during manufacture, the polyurethane flows around the circular lip 61 formed by the two assembled halves of the inner plastic screen 6a (described in more detail below) and around the FIR 2, so that the resulting structure advantageously tightly bonds the polyurethane seal 5 to the screen assembly 6, the media 3, and the FIR 2, as shown in fig. 9.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the area indicated as "15" in fig. 9. As shown in fig. 15, the recess/groove 5a of the polyurethane seal 5 receives the FIR 2 and a circular lip 61 formed by the two assembled halves of the inner plastic screen 6 a. The cross-section in fig. 15 shows the screen assembly 6, the filter media 3 and the FIR 2 embedded in the polyurethane seal 5. The circular lip 61 is embedded in the polyurethane seal 5 at a location where the FIR 2 is embedded in the polyurethane seal radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the air filter 1 (i.e., the longitudinal axis of the filter media 3). For purposes of illustration, fig. 15 does not show details of the filter media 3 and components of the inner screen 6a that are positioned inside the filter media 3.

The FIR 2 is shown in more detail in fig. 16A and 16B. The FIR 2 is a circular element having two protruding portions. Two projecting portions project radially inward from the outer circumference of the FIR 2. The two projections are symmetrically located opposite each other on the FIR 2. However, as noted above, the filter identification device may have various configurations. Some of the possible configurations are shown in fig. 24-30 of U.S. application serial No. 16/022941 (which is also incorporated by reference in its entirety in this disclosure).

Fig. 10, 11 and 12 show part of the manufacturing process of the filter 1, which includes a mould 7 for cold-pouring polyurethane to create the outlet air seal 5. As evidenced from these figures, when the filter media 3 and screen assembly 6 are installed into the air outlet mold 7, the polyurethane is poured so as to flow into the open area so as to securely fasten the assembled inner and outer screens 6a, 6b, filter media 3, and FIR 2 (if included) together, separately and in combination. In other words, the polyurethane seal 5 holds all the components together in an advantageously secure manner after curing. Fig. 11 shows that the outer screen 6b is located on the air outlet side atop a lip 61 of the inner screen 6a to ensure proper positioning of the filter media 3 in the mold 7. Fig. 12 shows the inner screen 6a positioned separately in the air outlet mould 7 and the polyurethane flows through all open areas in the inner screen 6a during the cold-filling process. It should therefore be understood that the polyurethane seal 5 shown in fig. 1 and 2 is merely illustrative. The actual structure of the polyurethane seal 5 is different as the polyurethane flows over and throughout the surface of the screen assembly 6, media 3 and FIR 2 (if included) during manufacture, as seen in fig. 9.

As shown in fig. 1, 2 and 9, an inner plastic screen 6a and an outer plastic screen 6b are provided to the filter 1 and serve multiple functions. Both the inner screen 6a and the outer screen 6b have a two-part design which allows the two halves to be joined during manufacture and finally firmly joined at each end of the assembled filter 1. At one end, the screen assembly 6 is secured by an outlet air polyurethane seal 5, and at the other, non-outlet air end, the screen assembly 6 is glued into the filter end cap 4. Although glue is used in the present embodiment to attach the screen assembly 6 to the end cap 4, the present disclosure is not limited to the use of glue. For example, the filter end cap 4 may also be bonded to the filter media 3 and the screen assembly 6 using polyurethane, closed cell foam, epoxy, rubber, or any other bonding agent that may securely fasten the filter media 3 and the screen assembly 6 to the end cap 4 without damaging the filter media 3.

When the two halves of the inner plastic screen 6a are joined, the two halves form a rounded lip 61 on the polyurethane seal side of the filter 1, creating a fixture to hold and position the FIR 2 in place. An inner support lip 61 protecting the filter media 3 and supporting the polyurethane seal 5 can be seen in fig. 1, 2 and 9. As will be appreciated from, for example, fig. 9, the inner support lip 61 extends outwardly from the filter media 3 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal (axial) direction of the filter 1, such that the inner support lip 61 extends to a radial position corresponding to the radial position of the outer plastic screen 6 b. This arrangement stiffens the filter outlet, preventing polyurethane from rolling when installing the filter and when removing the filter, and further provides the filter 1 with tolerance to extreme vibration and shock.

The plastic screen assembly 6 has tolerances such that the screen assembly 6 fits securely in the manufacturing mold 7, thereby ensuring that the finished filter 1 has a precise vertical fit of the filter media 3 with the inner and outer plastic screens 6a, 6b, the inner and outer plastic screens 6a, 6b having a vertical fit with the filter end cap 4, as shown in fig. 3. This ensures proper alignment of the filter 1 in the air filter housing so that both the interior of the outlet air seal 5 and the filter end cap 4 are aligned and perfectly fit into and onto the filter housing as shown in fig. 4 without interference or damage to the filter media 3 during the installation process.

As discussed above, the inner and outer plastic screens 6a, 6b (shown in fig. 1, 2 and 9) are held in place on both ends. However, in the middle of the two screen halves, the screen 6a and the screen 6b are held in place by latch mechanisms 62 (see fig. 1, 13 and 14), which latch mechanisms 62 provide alignment of the two halves of each screen 6a and 6b, respectively, and hold them together during and after the manufacturing process. More specifically, the latching mechanism 62 is comprised of a plurality of tabs 62a on one side of each screen half and a plurality of receiving slots 62b on the other side of each screen half. In fig. 13, the tab 62a is shown inserted into the receiving slot 62 b. In fig. 14, the tab 62a and the receiving slot 62b are shown in a separated manner (i.e., prior to assembly), with the tab 62a shown on the right side of fig. 14 and the receiving slot 62b shown on the left side of fig. 14.

Although a latching mechanism 62 is shown in the present embodiment, the screen halves may be attached by other means. For example, the screens 6a and 6b may be rolled (rolled) or may have tongue and groove attachment mechanisms, respectively.

The latch mechanism 62 provides resiliency and shock absorption. If the filter 1 is dropped, energy is transferred to the latch mechanism 62 to protect the filter media 3. The latch mechanism 62 will flex such that the tab 62a and receiving slot 62b move relative to each other without losing overall connectivity. As a result of this relative movement, the latch mechanism 62 is able to dissipate energy without losing overall connectivity, and then return to the original position, with the tab 62a latched against the receiving slot 62 b.

The advantageous structural design of the filter 1 disclosed in the present application embodies a combination of a cold-poured polyurethane seal 5 with a higher durometer measurement than a heat-cured (hot-cured) polyurethane and a plastic screen assembly 6 constructed by joining a two-piece circular inner screen 6a and a two-piece circular outer screen 6 b. The screen assembly 6 provides a plastic support structure that reinforces the polyurethane of the seal 5 and allows for significant impact absorption without damaging the support structure of the filter 1 or the performance of the filter media 3. This structure significantly improves the durability of the manufactured filter 1 when compared to manufactured filters made with metal inner and outer screens. The metal mesh filter design may dent, distort and wrinkle when the filter is dropped or mishandled, and may cause damage to the filter media. In contrast, if the plastic inner screen 6a and the plastic outer screen 6b of the present disclosure are in contact with the filter media 3, the plastic inner screen 6a and the plastic outer screen 6b do not negatively affect the filter media 3. Although in this embodiment the inner screen 6a and the outer screen 6b are made of plastic, the inner screen 6a and the outer screen 6b may be made of any material that provides the necessary support mechanisms and features described above. For example, the inner screen 6a and the outer screen 6b can be made of a material other than plastic (such as a metal screen) in a manner that does not cause damage to the media 3. Alternatively, instead of the inner screen 6a and the outer screen 6b, a dowel (dowel) support with vertical bars may be provided. Alternatively, the use of self-contained (sometimes also referred to as self-contained, free-standing) filters and/or rigid filter media may be provided without any screens.

The flexibility of the polyurethane seal 5 and the inner and outer plastic screens 6a, 6b allows for consistent maintenance of the filter seal and reduces damage to the filter media 3 during installation, use and removal from the filter housing, as shown in fig. 4. The shelf life (shelf life) of the filter 1 is also significantly improved with the construction of the plastic inner screen 6a and the plastic outer screen 6b compared to metal screens which corrode over time.

As shown in fig. 8, filter end cap 4 fully receives and shares the same inner and outer screens 6a, 6b and filter media 3 during manufacture. The sealing arrangement incorporates a tight tolerance, circular, raised centering lip 4a to accommodate the inner and outer plastic screens 6a, 6b and the filter media 3. In fig. 9, a circular raised lip 4a of the filter end cap 4 is shown. A circular raised lip 4a extends circumferentially and projects from the inner surface of end cap 4 so as to enclose inner and outer plastic screens 6a, 6b and filter media 3. The circular raised lip 4a provides alignment allowing the glue to hold the inner and outer plastic screens 6a, 6b and filter media 3 perpendicular to the end cap 4 and centered on the end cap 4 during manufacture, as seen in fig. 9.

This tight tolerance, raised, centering lip 4a is a characteristic of the end cap 4 shown in fig. 8 and of future designs that may be required for other specific applications. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the exterior of each filter end cap 4 may be configured for almost any application, wherein the illustration shows three different spray end caps 4 to be used on a self-cleaning air flow application; and a standard closed filter end cap 4 for use with recirculated air flow applications, known as a closed end cap. The three jet end caps 4 illustrated in fig. 8 are referred to as a slot end cap, a louvered end cap, and a ported end cap, respectively. These spray-on end caps allow debris to be sprayed from the filter housing. These covers have open apertures to the environment for ejecting material back to the environment by directing debris away from the structure of the filter in a predetermined path. Fig. 8 shows a plastic filter cap for a spray-on end cap, but the material is not limited to plastic and may alternatively comprise polyurethane, closed cell foam, or rubber. In contrast, the closed end cap maintains a sealed environment for the precleaner apparatus and may be used in recirculation or filtration applications to avoid the ejection of separated debris back into the environment being filtered. Fig. 8 again shows a filter cap for closing the end cap plastic, but the material is not limited to plastic and may alternatively comprise polyurethane, closed cell foam or rubber.

Fig. 5A to 5D show the complete filter 1 mounted in a filter housing which is held in place by a holding clamp which firmly grips the outer surface of the filter end cap 4, which is shown in fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 5B-5D are close-up views of the portion enclosed in fig. 5A and indicated as "B".

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating three air flows within the filter housing (in which the filter 1 is installed): a debris laden air stream, a pre-cleaned air stream, and a filtered air stream. In fig. 6, the large open area screen assembly 6 does not interfere with debris released from the surface of the filter 1; more precisely, this design allows the debris to be continuously released from the filter face and then to re-enter the air flow surrounding the filter 1 and be ejected. Fig. 6 may be understood with further reference to us 16/022941, which is incorporated by reference above.

The filter structure of the present disclosure allows for the use of a wide variety of filter media and is ideally suited for advanced, high efficiency media. For example, the filter media 3 may include a wide variety of media including, but not limited to, natural or synthetic fiber media; may comprise a carbon overwrap (sometimes also referred to as a carbon fiber overwrap), a carbon pellet (carbon pellet), a felt overwrap (felt wrap), or a foam; or may be any medium having high efficiency and the characteristics described above. The filter media 3 may be formed of a single media or multiple media, including but not limited to the types of media mentioned above. The plastic screen assembly 6 is non-abrasive and non-corrosive, providing excellent protection of the filter media 3 from vibration and corrosion. The filter structure may be composed of recyclable plastics and natural fibers that make it easily recyclable.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It should be noted that the above exemplary embodiments are only examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the detailed embodiments. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications.